~A Respite Weekend For Us.......and Chooky's Christmas Swap~

This weekend we had organised a much looked forward to respite for JoJo

We thought we'd have a day trip down the coast

We started off at the Blue Earth Cafe for coffee/lemon myrtle tea and lunch

We ended up at the beautiful seaside port of Bermagui where Billy Connolly filmed part of the film The Man Who Sued God

We had Fish 'n Chips here and saw a fishing boat come in.

This morning I made (gluten free) Choc Chip Muffins with Choc Chips that were organic from 

The Rustic Pantry

This afternoon I did a little on my Tilda Club Pin Cushion

 and to finish off we went for a beach walk in the late afternoon and saw the sun catching the waves

 and on the beach grass

'round the corner this piece of gum!

A lovely relaxing weekend just being 'us' and tasting the 'normal' world

We could come and go as we please

Sit for as long as we wanted without having to jump up and down

We even walked together and held hands on the beach

Something we don't normally do as one of us has to be with JoJo!!!

All in all a lovely weekend........

I have joined Chookyblue's Secret Santa Christmas Swap this year and looking forward to receiving news of who my partner is!!!

Thank you to everyone who comes over and reads my humble little blog and comments on it

I truly do appreciate it and do try sincerely to get back to everybody

Hope your weekend was a good one

Here's to another week........Dzintra xo

~Surprise Gift From JoJo, a Blogger and the Smash Repairer~

I've had a couple of unexpected gifts lately

First of all the above fat 1/4.....little white bird and Pirate Pen from JoJo

The Pirate Pen she would of bought as I was in Bay Theatre's production of Pirates of Penzance last year and she still tells everyone I was a Policeman

She bought these last weekend when we had a little respite

so very, very thoughtful of her

Thank you so much Beautiful Girl xoxox

A surprise package a little while ago from Bev

2 little owl mugrugs......one for me and one for JoJo

No surprises as to which one JoJo chose

of course, the Christmas themed one

Thank you so much dear Bev

Mine gets used every single day

You certainly surprised us with these!!!

After Mr Armchair's unfortunate mishap with a kangaroo leaving the car like this

it came back from the Smash Repairer looking like this

I saw Mr Armchair come up the stairs with a bunch of flowers and I was thinking oh how lovely they must be for me

He said look what the Smash Repairer gave me!!!

How cool are they.......and what a surprise

Thank You so much!!!

Rick Stein at Bannister's...A Break For Us!!!

February seems so long ago now...

We had a very very special weekend thanks to our our Son James and his Partner Danelle...

Last year for Mr Armchair's very significant birthday they wanted to give us a weekend away INCLUDING having JoJo whilst that was happening...

And blow me down we started to plan it all and I broke my arm...

this put me out of action for weeks...

Mr Armchair was run off his feet caring for me and JoJo...

and 12 months later we were finally able to have our weekend away...

And what a time it was...

but I must admit it took getting used to just being a couple a while...

JoJo is with us full time and we are her Carers...

for us to be able to enjoy a few hours together of just chatting and going out requires planning for Respite Care...knowing when we are going out...when we are coming back...

nothing is spontaneous for us...

sometimes is is just easier to stay home and not stress about it all...

The place we all agreed on was Rick Stein's at Bannisters...

James had to approve our choice as he wanted somewhere really nice and special for us...

After we arrived we headed off down to the pool area for a drink and a bit of lunch...

pic above is at the pool area...

Driving into Bannister's...

Ocean view from our room...

On the balcony...

Caesar Salad...

Chips and Aioli...

Some swimming in the edge pool...

It started raining in the late afternoon but it was still nice and warm...

Inside a corner of the Restaurant where we had dinner...

The wine...

I had informed the Restaurant a couple of days before that I was on a gluten-free diet...

The menus are quite large and they are printed every day on thick paper with a copy of the fish below on the other side...

I wasn't made to feel any different from the other guests which can often happen in various places...

the Restaurant had printed up a gluten free version...

I thought that this was the most thoughtful gesture...

Every attention to detail was attended to...

We were chatting with the Hostess at Front of House and told her why we there and when we sat down we were presented with complimentary champagne...

The most unusual butter...a fishy one but oh so delicious...

together with gluten free bread...they just did it!!!

 Braised Fillet of Cone Bay Barramundi with Truffle, Slivers of Potato, Mushrooms and Truffle Oil...

Chips and Melange of Vegetables...

During the evening...

Both desserts had Happy Birthday on them as the dinner was a celebratory birthday one for us both...signed by Rick's Head Chef.. Julian Lloyd

We were so full but still managed to fit in breakfast...eggs for Mr Armchair

and bruschetta for me (on gluten free toast)...and they remembered!!!

A light shade made of small bottles...

Entrance into the Restaurant...

Took a walk down to the beach and came upon a dedication...

Cocktails...mocktails...we certainly ate and drank!!!

And then it was dinner time again...

Fig, Prosciutto and Rocket Salad...

A salad of Lobster, Avocado, Green Beans and Foie-Gras...

Bannisters Fish Pie...Salmon, Snapper, Blue Eye Trevalla, Scallops, Mushrooms and Prawns in a creamy Fish Veloute Sauce with Truffle, gratinated with Breadcrumbs and Parmesan...

Indonesian Seafood Curry with Ling, Skate, Kingfish, Squid and King Prawns...Served with Green Bean and fresh Coconut Salad and Steamed Rice... .

And of course we had to have dessert!!!

Many Awards on the walls...

We even bought some fabulous books...Rick is coming back next month and I think I will take them up there to be signed by him!!!

A little collage I made...prior to the evening meal olives are served!!!

We love olives and regularly do this here at home too now!!!

Thank You, Thank You so much James and Danelle...we had a ball!!!!!

We have little Ryan coming here for a few days in the holidays...

tonight I will cook Pork Belly...

So here's to a wonderful weekend of family and celebrations!!!

I am so Blessed!!!

Bon Appetit...Dzintra xo